m4 dou3唔到
Jyutpingm4 dou3
Yalem̀h dou
Definition
To have no choice but to do something; not up to someone to decide.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
This construction functions as a way to assert authority or emphasize a lack of agency. It is almost always followed by a person or pronoun, acting as a gatekeeper for the action that follows. It carries a firm, sometimes confrontational tone, signaling that the subject has lost their power of decision.
Examples
You don't get to call the shots here.
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 唔可以, which simply means cannot. 唔到 implies a structural or external restriction where the person is physically or socially prevented from having a choice, rather than just a prohibition.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
